A game within a game at Albany

By WYNNE GRAY

The game within the game will be tonight's intrigue for amateur All Black selectors as neighbours Auckland and North Harbour conduct their NPC duel at Albany.

After both sides slid to messy defeats in the opening round, they square off at Albany with the players' sights set on victory and the potential Super 12 spinoff of a Blues' berth next season.

There are some players on the periphery of the World Cup squad, but they would probably need to do something exceptional at Albany to alter the selectors' thinking.

Indeed, most of them do not compete in positions that may be in the balance in the run-up to Monday's unveiling of the World Cup squad.

Six of the backup national group - Brent Ward, Sam Tuitupou, Daniel Braid, David Gibson, Justin Collins and Angus MacDonald - are with the Auckland side tonight. Tony Woodcock is Harbour's sole representative, with experienced outside back Rico Gear on the injured roster.

On the evidence of that imbalance, victory for the visitors would seem logical, especially after the way Harbour messed up their match with Bay of Plenty.

But if Harbour can grunt-up around the immense, but scarcely-seen talent this year, of NZ Maori duo Ron Cribb and Troy Flavell, then an upset could occur.

Auckland and Harbour struggled with their scrums last week, but Auckland rectified their problems, compared with Harbour, who struggled all the way.

That problem may be ongoing with the tighthead props bracketed. Veteran Blair Larsen has been chosen to try to add some solidity to the tight five.

It may also be a concession to the recent weather which may mean the game becomes a slog for both sides.

Outside the talented Luke McAlister, Harbour do not appear to have the firepower of Auckland, the cohesion or defence that the visitors can muster.

While Auckland were ragged in their 6-3 loss to Otago, their defence was one of their more evident strengths.

North Harbour: Tusi Pisi, Dan Parkinson, Anthony Tuitavake, Andrew Mailei/Rudy Wulf, Nick Evans, Luke McAlister, Ben Meyer; Ron Cribb (capt), Craig Newby, Troy Flavell, Greg Rawlinson, Blair Larsen, Tevita Taumoepeau/Peter Bielski, Joe Ward, Tony Woodcock. Res: Slade McFarland, Taumoepeau/Bielski, Marty Veale, Matua Parkinson; Chris Smylie, Mailei/Wulf, Hosea Gear.

Auckland: Ben Atiga, Iliesa Tanivula, Tane Tuipolotu, Sam Tuitupou, Brent Ward, Orene Ai'i, David Gibson; Xavier Rush (capt), Daniel Braid, Justin Collins, Bradley Mika, Bryce Williams, John Afoa, Derren Witcombe, Scott Palmer. Res: Richard Kirke, Chris Heard, Sione Lauaki, Angus Macdonald; Craig McGrath, Shannon Paku, Isa Nacewa.

Kickoff: 7.35pm.